Track Listing

1. Shine
2. I'm Not Ashamed
3. Breakfast
4. Reality
5. Take Me to Your Leader
6. Joy
7. Entertaining Angels
8. Praises
9. Spirit Thing
10. Woohoo
11. Step up to the Microphone
12. God Is Not a Secret
13. Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
14. Who?
15. Believe
16. I Got Your Number
17. Mega-Mix

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34561 in Music
• Released on: 2000-10-24
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Eight releases, 14 No. 1 radio hits, top reputation as a live act--not bad work if you can get it. That's what the Newsboys have accomplished in 14 years, and the scope and breadth of their success is documented well on this 17-track hits collection. In songs like "Shine," "Take Me to Your Leader," "Spirit Thing," and "Step Up to the Microphone," the Newsboys magically melded a modern pop beat with a strong, spirit-filled message. The end results were endearing radio hits that sounded fresh, vibrant, and nonapologetic for their religious zeal. And that explains why these lads from Australia garner such a buzz in the Christian pop world. The Newsboys never met a pop hook they didn't like, a fact all too apparent when listening to this collection. But they do it so well. Longtime Newsboys fans will appreciate the remake of "God Is Not a Secret," featuring a blistering rap from DC Talk's Toby McKeehan. Three new tracks--"Joy," "Praises," and "Who?"--give listeners a hint of what's to come. --Michael Lyttle

Customer Reviews

An outstanding collection!
The Newsboys have definitely been one of the most influential and well-recognized Christian rock/pop bands. Since the band was founded back in 1988 they have written many songs that have gained wide recognition, such as "Shine", "Breakfast", "I'm Not Ashamed", and "Entertaining Angels." And finally, with eight albums to their name, the Australian-based band has compiled an album featuring the best of their music, Shine:The Hits. This disc features 13 of the Newsboys' greatest hits as well as three new recordings and a compilation of eight landmark songs, entitled "Mega-Mix." A few of the classic songs have been remixed or enhanced. For instance, the boys' signature hit, "Shine", has been enhanced with more background vocals, more guitar and keyboard parts, and an enhanced rhythm section. The song "God Is Not A Secret" has been remixed into a powerful techno-rock track and features Toby McKeehan of DC Talk performing rap sequences and background vocals. The new recordings, "Joy", "Praises", and "Who?", are very well-done and well-written. The "Mega-Mix" track is an eight-minute long fun, moving techno-rock recording that is a melding of eight signature hits, "Shine", "WooHoo", "Take Me To Your Leader", "Breakfast", "Step Up To The Microphone", "Entertaining Angels", "I'm Not Ashamed", and "Reality". This album also features an upbeat classic-rock track from the boys' 1988 debut album, Read All About It, entitled "I Got Your Number". Having given an idea of what's on this disc, I must say that this is one of the best Newsboys albums to date. This is a HUGE improvement over the 1999 release, LoveLibertyDisco. In fact, Shine:The Hits features no LLD songs at all. If you disliked the LLD disc because of its softer, calmer style you're bound to love this CD. All the favorite Newsboys songs plus four awesome new tracks. This album shows how far the Newsboys have come throughout the course of their career. The musical style widely ranges from the early '90's synth-rock of Not Ashamed to the aggressive modern rock and pop of Take Me To Your Leader and Step Up To The Microphone. The songs sound great and there isn't a single dull track on this album. Lead singers Peter Furler and John James have amazing voices, drummer Duncan Phillips keep a steady rhythm, guitarist Jody Davis' electric riffs add great punctuation to the music, bassist/vocalist Phil Joel adds great depth to the music, and keyboardist/programmer Jeff Frankenstein adds the final touches. The Newsboys are definitely a band with talent, and God has greatly blessed them with a wide audience and a strong witness. Honestly, I don't have any negative comments about this album. It's just plain awesome. It is bound to be a best-seller. Whether you're a devoted Newsboys fan or you've only heard a small amount of their music, there's much to enjoy on Shine:The Hits.

In case you're wondering what's on the CD, here's the track listing:

1. Shine (enhanced) 2. I'm Not Ashamed 3. Breakfast 4. Reality 5. Take Me To Your Leader 6. Joy (new recording) 7. Entertaining Angels 8. Praises (new recording) 9. Spirit Thing 10. WooHoo 11. Step Up To The Microphone 12. God Is Not A Secret (remix) 13. Where You Belong/Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 14. Who? (new recording) 15. Believe 16. I Got Your Number 17. Mega-Mix (new recording)

What a Fun Collection
I'm a moderate Newsboys fan at best. Over the years, I've enjoyed some of their songs on the radio, but never enough to start buying their CD's. Even when this first came out, I wasn't sure if I wanted to get it or not. Well, I finally did get it, and am I ever glad I did.

Since I listen to Christian music on a regular basis, I was familiar with their signature songs. One of them, "Shine," opens this CD. To this day, I am challenged a little by this song to live out what I believe. Next up, and on the same theme, is "I'm Not Ashamed." Also included is a song explaining changes in their lives, "Spirit Thing."

What I was not aware of was the fun songs they do with a gentle serious message snuck in. True, I've been a fan of "Reality" since I first heard it. But I've become a fan or "Breakfast." Now, if only I could listen to it without getting it stuck in my head for two days.

As with any best of, they offer some new songs to throw into the mix. Personally, I like "Joy" and "Praises," which showed up on their worship CD this year. I'm just beginning to get into "Who?," but I think this song about who our God really is is going to become a favorite.

I will admit that I find fewer songs I like in the second half of the disc. But that's just my musical taste. Has it turned me into a bigger Newsboys fan? Yes! I'll be enjoying this CD for a long time to come.

An embarassment of riches!
In a collection like this it's difficult to point out the highlights, because the CD is simply an embarassment of riches. There is so much to like here, each track irresistable and instantly contagious. From the catchy opening smash "Shine" to the pop/rock stylings of "Breakfast" to the brilliant anthmetic ballad "Entertaining Angels" the quality of the Newsboys' finest does not relent. And for those die-hard Newsboys fans there is even more initiative to buy with three new recordings which show off the new maturity of the Newsboys music writing ability reflected strongly in their latest album "Love Liberty Disco" which unfortunately doesn't feature on this album because of its recent release. There is also included a rap/rock remix of "God Is Not A Secret" featuring dctalk's Toby Mac on rap and spice, which shows just how remarkably diverse this band is in pulling in dynamic riffs and melodies from many music genres. However it is their immense ability to write incredible pop melodies that is the essence of the Newsboys success, which is highlighted beautifully in the masterfully crafted "Mega Mix" which bounces from progressively brilliant riffs that have now become Christian music history.